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Groin Redbeard · 01-13-2009, 03:19 PM

Thanks Kath, I'll get my response up sometime today!

Interesting Facts
I found some interesting and cool things about Anglo-Saxon weddings. For instance, did you know that the tradition of tying shoes to cars originated from way back when? In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom would tap the heel of the bride’s shoe to show his authority over her. In later times, people would throw shoes at the couple. Now, thankfully, folks just tie shoes to the new couple’s car.

I could just picture Harreld throwing a tremendous boot at the couple with a smile on his face!

Dress
Anne of Brittany made the white wedding dress popular in 1499. Before that, a woman Just wore her best dress. It should be noted that a white wedding dress is in no way indicative of The "purity" of the bride-to-be. Indeed, white is not accorded as a symbol of chastity, but of joy.

Something Blue:
In continuing with the discussion of the white wedding dress, it should be noted that – in Biblical days – blue represented purity. Thus the bride and groom would wear a blue band around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence something blue.

Cake
I know that the ancient Romans would bake a cake made of wheat or barley and break it over the bride’s head as a symbol of her fertility (Whether this meant cracking the cake above the bride’s head or actually bonking her on the noggin with it is rather unclear. I'm not sure we want to know…). Over time, it became traditional to stack several cakes atop one another, as tall as possible. The bride and groom would then be charged to kiss over this tower without knocking it over. If they were successful, a lifetime of good fortune was certain for the new couple. Finally, during the reign of King Charles II of England, it became customary for cake to be a palatable palace iced with sugar. I don't know if we are even planning on having a cake, just something interesting in case we do.

The Wedding Ceremony
Items Needed:
The rings
The groom's ancestral sword
A new sword to be given from bride to groom

I'm trying to keep this as concise as possible, but I'm afraid that I can't explain some the terminology from the book. Therefore I'm just going to write this part from it:

Women were seen as very powerful, carriers of the family mægen, and more intimately connected to the kinfetch as well as the Idesa of the clan than men. They served as head of the household, and did many of the chores that ensured the community would survive. Therefore when they left to marry, the family suffered a great loss. To a lesser degree, the handgeld was to reimburse the family for her loss of labour, but in no way should it be seen as a purchasing of a bride. Instead it was an attempt to equalize gift for gift. This gift for gift scenario is seen throughout the ancient marriage process, and was a way of exchanging maegen and hamingja between the couple and their families. It was in essence, fusing members of the two clans into one family. The exchange continued through the wedding ceremony. In various Heathen areas such customs as exchanging rings, swords for keys, mead, and cake are seen. Such customs were very old and dated from at least the time of Taticus' writing of Germania. In it he says that brides were obtained by payment of a dowry by the groom in the form of sword and shield, cattle and bridled horse. On the morning after the wedding, the groom also had to give his new wife a morning gift, the morgengifu. This was hers to keep and use the entirety of her life. Finally, in addition to the groom paying the handgeld and morgengifu, the bride's family had to pay the brýdgifu. This was the bride's dowry, forever hers and untouchable by her husband. It was to ensure, in event of the husband's death or divorce, that her and her children were provided for.

All has been mostly taken care of between Degas and Eodwine so we don't have to worry about that, for the most part. The ceremony is overseen by a prophet/druid in the old days, or by the head of the house, and was called a Weofodthegn (try and pronounce that and not laugh

). I'm guessing that that was one of the reasons why you brought that wizard to Scarburg Eodwine, or was it just chance?

1) The Wedding Trip

The bride goes to the site of the wedding. She is proceeded by a young kinsman bearing the new sword to be giving to the groom. The groom likewise, bearing his ancestral blade accompanied by the groomsmen goes to the site.

2) Hallowing of the site

The Weofodthegn hallows the site and then makes a brief statement as to why they are gathered that day

3) Exchange of handgeld and brýdgifu

The handgeld and brýdgifu are then exchanged. This may be done with the following words:

Weofodthegn to Groom
"Do you have the handgeld as you oathed to have?"

Groom
"Yes"

Groom to Father of bride:
"I give you this, the handgeld as I oathed to do." A few words may be added describing the handgeld.

Weofodthegn to father of the bride
"Do you have the brýdgifu as you oathed to have?"

Father of bride to bride:
"Yes"

Father of bride to bride:
"I give you this the brýdgifu. It is yours to have and hold all of your days."

Weofodthegn:
"The brýdgifu and handgeld have been gifted and given. The holy oaths given have been held. Now let the bridegroom and bride exchange their oaths"

4) The Exchange of swords

The groom then gives the bride his ancestral sword. Something like the following words should be said:

"I give you this sword to save for our sons to have and to use."

The bride then gives the groom the new sword with something like the following words:

"To keep us safe, you must bear a blade. With this sword keep safe our home."

5) The Exchange of rings, the oaths, and the keys

The couple should then exchange vows and rings. These oaths are best written by the couple and should involve any pre-marital agreements that were made. Both oaths should, but need not have to invoke the goddess Wær (Vár) as keeper of oaths. Both the groom's oath, and the bride's oath should end with something like "With this ring I thee wed," with the placement of the wedding ring upon the other's finger. The bride's ring is offered on the hilt of the new sword symbolizing his trust in her. Finally, all of the groom's keys are given to the bride, as she is now keeper of the household.

6) Pronouncement

The Weofodthegn witnessing the vows then pronounces the couple werman and wife and states whatever else is prescribed by his state or nation for a legal wedding.

I tried to write this in the strictest sense of an Anglos-Saxon wedding, we don't have to use everything that they did back then. I'm sure Folwren and LMP might have some ideas of their own.

EDIT: Sorry, I won't be able to post today. I've got to get some chores done outside and it will last well past dark.

01-13-2009, 03:19 PM	#1302
Groin Redbeard Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Facing the world's troubles with Christ's hope! Posts: 1,635	Thanks Kath, I'll get my response up sometime today! Interesting Facts I found some interesting and cool things about Anglo-Saxon weddings. For instance, did you know that the tradition of tying shoes to cars originated from way back when? In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom would tap the heel of the bride’s shoe to show his authority over her. In later times, people would throw shoes at the couple. Now, thankfully, folks just tie shoes to the new couple’s car. I could just picture Harreld throwing a tremendous boot at the couple with a smile on his face! Dress Anne of Brittany made the white wedding dress popular in 1499. Before that, a woman Just wore her best dress. It should be noted that a white wedding dress is in no way indicative of The "purity" of the bride-to-be. Indeed, white is not accorded as a symbol of chastity, but of joy. Something Blue: In continuing with the discussion of the white wedding dress, it should be noted that – in Biblical days – blue represented purity. Thus the bride and groom would wear a blue band around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence something blue. Cake I know that the ancient Romans would bake a cake made of wheat or barley and break it over the bride’s head as a symbol of her fertility (Whether this meant cracking the cake above the bride’s head or actually bonking her on the noggin with it is rather unclear. I'm not sure we want to know…). Over time, it became traditional to stack several cakes atop one another, as tall as possible. The bride and groom would then be charged to kiss over this tower without knocking it over. If they were successful, a lifetime of good fortune was certain for the new couple. Finally, during the reign of King Charles II of England, it became customary for cake to be a palatable palace iced with sugar. I don't know if we are even planning on having a cake, just something interesting in case we do. The Wedding Ceremony Items Needed: The rings The groom's ancestral sword A new sword to be given from bride to groom I'm trying to keep this as concise as possible, but I'm afraid that I can't explain some the terminology from the book. Therefore I'm just going to write this part from it: Women were seen as very powerful, carriers of the family mægen, and more intimately connected to the kinfetch as well as the Idesa of the clan than men. They served as head of the household, and did many of the chores that ensured the community would survive. Therefore when they left to marry, the family suffered a great loss. To a lesser degree, the handgeld was to reimburse the family for her loss of labour, but in no way should it be seen as a purchasing of a bride. Instead it was an attempt to equalize gift for gift. This gift for gift scenario is seen throughout the ancient marriage process, and was a way of exchanging maegen and hamingja between the couple and their families. It was in essence, fusing members of the two clans into one family. The exchange continued through the wedding ceremony. In various Heathen areas such customs as exchanging rings, swords for keys, mead, and cake are seen. Such customs were very old and dated from at least the time of Taticus' writing of Germania. In it he says that brides were obtained by payment of a dowry by the groom in the form of sword and shield, cattle and bridled horse. On the morning after the wedding, the groom also had to give his new wife a morning gift, the morgengifu. This was hers to keep and use the entirety of her life. Finally, in addition to the groom paying the handgeld and morgengifu, the bride's family had to pay the brýdgifu. This was the bride's dowry, forever hers and untouchable by her husband. It was to ensure, in event of the husband's death or divorce, that her and her children were provided for. All has been mostly taken care of between Degas and Eodwine so we don't have to worry about that, for the most part. The ceremony is overseen by a prophet/druid in the old days, or by the head of the house, and was called a Weofodthegn (try and pronounce that and not laugh). I'm guessing that that was one of the reasons why you brought that wizard to Scarburg Eodwine, or was it just chance? 1) The Wedding Trip The bride goes to the site of the wedding. She is proceeded by a young kinsman bearing the new sword to be giving to the groom. The groom likewise, bearing his ancestral blade accompanied by the groomsmen goes to the site. 2) Hallowing of the site The Weofodthegn hallows the site and then makes a brief statement as to why they are gathered that day 3) Exchange of handgeld and brýdgifu The handgeld and brýdgifu are then exchanged. This may be done with the following words: Weofodthegn to Groom "Do you have the handgeld as you oathed to have?" Groom "Yes" Groom to Father of bride: "I give you this, the handgeld as I oathed to do." A few words may be added describing the handgeld. Weofodthegn to father of the bride "Do you have the brýdgifu as you oathed to have?" Father of bride to bride: "Yes" Father of bride to bride: "I give you this the brýdgifu. It is yours to have and hold all of your days." Weofodthegn: "The brýdgifu and handgeld have been gifted and given. The holy oaths given have been held. Now let the bridegroom and bride exchange their oaths" 4) The Exchange of swords The groom then gives the bride his ancestral sword. Something like the following words should be said: "I give you this sword to save for our sons to have and to use." The bride then gives the groom the new sword with something like the following words: "To keep us safe, you must bear a blade. With this sword keep safe our home." 5) The Exchange of rings, the oaths, and the keys The couple should then exchange vows and rings. These oaths are best written by the couple and should involve any pre-marital agreements that were made. Both oaths should, but need not have to invoke the goddess Wær (Vár) as keeper of oaths. Both the groom's oath, and the bride's oath should end with something like "With this ring I thee wed," with the placement of the wedding ring upon the other's finger. The bride's ring is offered on the hilt of the new sword symbolizing his trust in her. Finally, all of the groom's keys are given to the bride, as she is now keeper of the household. 6) Pronouncement The Weofodthegn witnessing the vows then pronounces the couple werman and wife and states whatever else is prescribed by his state or nation for a legal wedding. I tried to write this in the strictest sense of an Anglos-Saxon wedding, we don't have to use everything that they did back then. I'm sure Folwren and LMP might have some ideas of their own. EDIT: Sorry, I won't be able to post today. I've got to get some chores done outside and it will last well past dark. __________________ I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeatof peace on earth, good-will to men! ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Last edited by Groin Redbeard; 01-13-2009 at 05:49 PM.